As pressure grows on the U.S. Navy to increase its shipbuilding capacity, the Pentagon has launched a striking call for a new type of unmanned underwater vessel, published by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). The new platform, which will be developed to “maximize operational effectiveness in contested environments,” is called the Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform (CAMP).
CAMP's Capabilities and Goals
This new class of remotely controlled unmanned submarines aims to add a whole new dimension to the Navy’s underwater warfare capabilities. CAMP will be able to maneuver autonomously at distances of more than 1.000 nautical miles, even in challenging environments where GPS signals are blocked, and will be able to dive to depths of more than 200 meters during missions. One of the platform’s main tasks is described as “dropping various payloads onto the seabed,” indicating that CAMP could be used not only for reconnaissance and surveillance, but also for logistics and potentially offensive missions.
Artificial Intelligence and the Revitalization of the Shipbuilding Industry
Integrating AI into U.S. shipbuilding is seen as a key part of a broader effort to revitalize a critical sector that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has described as being in a “permanent state of triage.” The U.S. shipbuilding industry has fallen far short of China’s massive capacity, raising serious concerns about whether the U.S. would be able to replace disabled or sunk ships in a timely manner in the event of a conflict. The Navy’s goal of increasing its combat force from the current 296 to an impressive 381 ships over the next three decades is also significant in this context.
Emphasis on Cost-Effectiveness and Commercial Compatibility
The DIU’s call specifically states that the CAMP initiative should be cost-effective and “minimize surface endurance and duration,” while also being designed for transportation, distribution and rescue operations “with generally available commercial cargo and handling equipment.” This emphasis reflects the CAMP’s quest to not only meet military needs but also to be a logistically efficient and viable solution.
Autonomous Ship Moves from the Private Sector
The CAMP document comes on the heels of recent efforts by the private sector to delve deeper into autonomous shipbuilding in order to meet growing demand. Most recently, HavocAI announced the launch of a 38-foot unmanned vessel known as Seahound. Also last week, autonomous ship startup Saronic Technologies announced that it had acquired Gulf Craft, a long-standing Louisiana-based shipbuilder. Saronic Technologies announced that the shipbuilder will retain its current workforce and aim to create more than 500 new jobs over the next three to four years.
Saronic also announced the maiden voyage of its impressive 150-foot autonomous surface vessel (ASV), dubbed the “Marauder.” According to a statement from the company, the Marauder can travel up to 3.500 nautical miles or operate autonomously at sea for more than 30 days. In February, Saronic raised a significant $600 million round of funding to help build Port Alpha, a dedicated shipyard for autonomous vessels. In March, the company formed a strategic partnership with Palantir Technologies to further develop its ship software capabilities.
“By revitalizing our industrial base in Louisiana, we are taking a critical step toward building our own supply chains and standing up to foreign competitors like China,” Louisiana House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a press release regarding Saronic’s acquisition of Gulf Craft. “All of this is essential to our national security. We are grateful to Saronic for their commitment to this industry and our great state,” Johnson said. The Pentagon’s call for CAMP and these dynamic developments in the private sector clearly demonstrate the U.S.’ commitment to making its naval force more resilient and effective against the threats of the future.
